The safe way to install restriction orifices

Many engineers and designers are familiar with restriction orifice which is a device is installed in piping
systems to reduce the pressure of a process stream before it enters a piece of equipment or lower-
pressure piping system. Restriction orifices are also used to impede flow of a process stream such as
when they are installed in the minimum flow bypass lines around centrifugal pumps.

Installation

The restriction orifice which is physically a thin plate with a hole in it, is normally installed in the piping
by being inserted between two existing flanges. It is possible to inadvertently leave out the plate when
the piping is assembled, or, more likely, to forget to replace it when the piping is reassembled, following
maintenance or cleaning. So leaving out the orifice is difficult.

Safe solution

To prevent this, one should make it impossible to assemble or reassemble the piping without including
the orifice. A simple, practical and foolproof method is: the restriction orifice has its own spool piece.

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING/ APRIL 13, 1987